The Republican budget will pull the plug on our job creation efforts next year.  House Democrats are committed to strengthening our economy and growing the middle class. We won’t turn our back on economic development efforts to help Iowa Main Street businesses grow while rewarding big Wall Street corporations with over-sized tax breaks that won’t benefit Iowans.

With the future of our economy dependent on a highly-skilled workforce, we also can’t afford to short-change opportunities for Iowans to get the skills they need to land a good-paying job.   We’re going to work with the Senate and Governor Branstad to craft a responsible budget.

“House Democrats are ready to take swift action this week and stop the tuition hike on national guard members. We are ready to work with Republicans and get the bill to the Governor’s desk before we return home for the weekend,” said Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, who leads Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee. “With most Iowa students already back at college for the spring semester, we need to take quick action to restore their tuition assistance before it’s too late.”

In December, the Iowa National Guard announced it would reduce awards for the Education Assistance Program from 90% to 50% because of high enrollment.

“Over the interim, we’ve heard from many Iowans with concerns about safety at our correctional institutions,” added Olson. “As legislators, we have an obligation to ensure the safety of workers in dangerous situations as well as protecting the general public from criminals.”

Olson said both bills will be filed tomorrow.

Here’s the statement from Rep. Tyler Olson of Cedar Rapids, the lead Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee:

House Democrats are encouraged by the Governor’s focus in his budget on job creation and improving our schools. We are ready to work with the Governor and Republicans this session to help create jobs.

House Democrats will also oppose any effort to weaken the middle class or reward Wall Street over Iowa’s Main Street businesses.

In these tough economic times when many Iowans – including veterans returning from service overseas — are looking for work, we’re disappointed the Governor has no plan to reopen the workforce centers. We are committed to reopening the centers that will help Iowans learn new skills to land a good-paying job and help local businesses find workers.

“As a life-long family farmer, Rep. Muhlbauer knows the critical role that agriculture plays in growing our economy and revitalizing rural communities.  He is passionate about agriculture and making sure that rural Iowa isn’t left behind in the economic recovery,” said McCarthy.

In addition to serving as Ranking Member, Muhlbauer will also serve on Public Safety, Ways & Means, Veteran’s Affairs, and the Agriculture Committees.

“Ag and Natural Resources go hand in hand.  This is why I feel this is a great position for me, because I am a lifelong farmer and I understand the importance of preserving our natural heritage,” Muhlbauer stated.

The 2012 legislative session starts on January 9^th.

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Iowa House of Representatives Chamber

Persons wishing to speak may sign up at the Legislative Information Office (LIO), Room G16, located in the Iowa State Capitol, or call the LIO at 515-281-5129. Please do not leave a recorded message by telephone. If unable to attend, you may e-mail written testimony to the LIO: lioinfo@legis.state.ia.us . Please type Testimony in the subject line.

“This bill is the largest in Iowa history, spending over $25 billion, and Iowans deserve time to review it and give us input,” said State Representative Tyler Olson, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Spending $25 billion of Iowa taxpayer money with no time for public input is irresponsible and Iowans deserve better.”

After announcing plans just a few days ago to approve one giant budget bill without any input from Democrats, House Republicans want to pass the bill on Tuesday before Iowans have a chance to weigh in.

“Republicans haven’t even revealed their latest plan to give big tax breaks to corporations paid for by higher property taxes on homeowners,” added Olson. “Iowans should at least get to see all the facts before a vote on any spending plan and Democrats won’t settle for a budget that penalizes the middle class and starves our schools.”

The Open Budget Hearings will begin with education issues on Monday, June 6, at 10 AM in Room 116 of the Iowa Statehouse.  It will be chaired by Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington, the chair of the Senate Education Budget Subcommittee. Live video will be available during the hearing here.

The rest of the schedule for the hearing is as follows:

Health and Human Services Budget Listen and Learn – Tuesday, June 7th at 9AM in room 116 of the Capitol

Economic Growth Budget Listen and Learn – Wednesday, June 8th, time and room TBA

Administration and Regulation Budget Listen and Learn – Thursday, June 9 at 10AM in room 22 of the Capitol

Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Listen and Learn - Friday, June 10th, time and room TBA

To find out more information on the hearings go to: http://www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/openbudget.

“The bipartisan compromise passed unanimously by the House and Senate earlier this week will help small businesses and 240,000 working families. Unfortunately, Governor Branstad’s reckless action today unravels the compromise. His insistence on rewarding special interests and big corporations at the expense of small businesses and middle class families is bad for Iowa and a serious blow to bipartisanship.”

“With schools planning to hand out pink slips to over 1,500 teachers, it’s outrageous that House Republicans are doing nothing to stop teacher layoffs at schools across Iowa,” said Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City. “With a $1 billion state surplus and improving economy, the state can provide modest growth for our schools next year and prevent teacher layoffs.”

Rep. Steckman called for an immediate debate and vote of House File 185, which provides a 2% allowable growth for Iowa schools. It has already been approved by the Senate but it was voted down on a party line vote in the Iowa House today.

“Iowa students and teachers deserve better,” concluded Steckman. “We can balance the state budget without leaving our kids behind.”

STATEMENT FROM REP. TYLER OLSON, RANKING MEMBER OF APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, ON STATE BUDGET ESTIMATES

“With more Iowans working and a growing state surplus this year, Iowa’s economy is clearly gaining steam.   The new budget projections prove we can balance the state budget without taking a step backward on job creation or developing a highly-skilled workforce.  There is no reason to kick 20,000 kids out of preschool or leave school funding at zero for the next two years with a $1 billion surplus. Democrats will fight to keep the state budget balanced without giving up on Iowa’s middle class.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) is a statutory three person committee to estimate state revenues.  Holly Lyons, is the Legislative Service Agency representative, David Roderer is the Governor’s appointee, and David Underwood, an economist from Mason City, is the third member.